Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Course Title:
MUS 271
INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Number of credits:
Three (3)
Abbreviated Course Title:
NA
Date of Outline:
January 2004
2. Course Description
Develops an understanding of history and
application of electronics in musical composition
and performance. Facilitates the creative process in
music through the application of technology.
3. Contact Hours Per Week:
Three (3) Lecture/lab
4. Prerequisites:
NA
Corequisites:
NA
Recommended Preparation:
MUS 108, 121c, or 121d
5. General Course Objectives
Students develop and understanding of the history of electronic music, and the tools in
use today to produce electro-acoustic musical compositions. Focus is on sound synthesis,
sampling, MIDI, and digital recording systems
Approved by _______________________________________Date__________________
NEW TITLE: 8/23/01
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6. Student Learner Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
a. Discuss the broad spectru of technological principles applied electro-acoustic
music.
b. Explain the historical development of electro-acoustic musical instruments
c. Use basic electronic tools in musical composition, recording and performance
d. Discuss pioneers of electronic music including, but not limited to, Busoni, Varese,
Cage, Cahill, Babbitt, Subotnick, Stockhausen, Carlos, Moog, Buchla, and others.
e. Compose pieces using computers and MIDI-based keyboards.
f. Record music using computers and other MIDI-based equipment.
7. Recommended Course Content
1 week
Introduction, Early Instruments
1 week
The Great Opening Up of Music
1 week
Tape Music
1 week
Live Electronics
1 week
Computers and Music
1 week
Synthesizers (sound design)
1 week
Digital Sampling
1 week
MIDI
1 week
Controllers
1 week
Automata
2 weeks
Software Overview
4 weeks
Project development
8. Recommended Course Requirements
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the
course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to,
the following:
3
Attendance and participation
Writing assignments
In-class assignments
Homework assignments
Projects
Presentations
Quizzes
9. Text and Materials
An appropriate text (or texts) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is to
be offered. Examples:
Williams, David and Webster, Peter. Experiencing Music Technology. Thomson
Learning: New York.
10. Evaluation and Grading
Factors for grading may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Weekly exercises
Quizzes
Final project
Midterm exam
Final exam
30%
10%
25%
15%
20%
11. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods vary with instructors; thus instructional methods will be at the
discretion of the instructor teaching the course. Techniques may include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Class discussions
Guest lecturers
Instructor lectures
Audio, visual, or computer presentations
Student presentations and activities, individual or group
Other learning experiences, such as collaborative, service, and experiential